Car Tech Video: Toyota iQ Concept

Car Tech Video: Toyota iQ Concept

1:10 /
March 13, 2008

Why should the smart car have all the fun? Toyota shows they can do a pocket-size ride as well, if not better.

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>> Why let smart have all the fun with super dinky cars in Europe. Toyota says they're getting on the act as well. This is the iQ Concept car. It's tiny, basically smart car-sized. The way they've accomplished this is first of all, moving the gas tank to a big flat under floor reservoir instead of a tank itself. As a result, take up the room that the tank used to have forward up. Also, they have a really small air-conditioning evaporator condenser unit in the dash, allowing them to push the passenger forward, which gives them, kind of asymmetrical front sitting area. A variety of tricks for the drivetrain also bring the packaging down. Look at the little dinky overhangs. Up until this car, only smart was able to pull this off. Now they'll have company in the European market. Probably the only one interested in this car. As far as motor power, we heard that Toyota is working with Yamaha on the power plant, probably, something motorcycle-derived.
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